Total Disregard for Visiting Hours - Page 5

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  1. Sep 20, '12 by
    UGH! The FLOOR! ewww I can't even imagine what types of nasties are growing there...
    Hygiene Queen likes this.
  2. Sep 20, '12 by
    We have this happening now. oncology, we have a man who has been expected to die for several days. His family members have been camped out in the waiting room for four days now. With a passle of children including a toddler, who screams constantly. Other patients have started complaining about the nouse.
  3. Sep 20, '12 by
    DylanB,

    You have obviously never been a patient.

    Chill.
    4thflrnrse likes this.
  4. Sep 20, '12 by
    I had a patient who was in afib with a rate in the 190's and severe respiratory distress due to pneumonia. We were transferring him to ICU, and we literally had to fight off the family to care for the patient. They were at the bedside trying to control our every move, yelling at us, questioning us, and their family member was dying right in front of them. Would administration back us up if the family complained? Probably not.... Even if the family puts the patient's life in jeopardy by interfering with the patient's care. By the way, pt was intubated, recovered, and went home a couple of weeks later.
  5. Sep 20, '12 by
    Quote from Hygiene Queen
    I cannot stand obnoxious visitors!

    I work in psych and I am very grateful that:

    We have limited visiting hours.
    If the family wants more time-- or a different time, they need a decent reason and a doctor's order.
    If it is an elderly gentleman who has trouble getting a ride during regular hours, the doctor is more than happy to write the order, and we are happy to let the gent visit his wife in "off-hours".
    However, if you are just a complete wanker who is physically intact, obnoxious and/or intrusive, and the only reason you want special off-hours is because you think you just need to "hang out" or "keep an eye on things", then heck no!
    I will call the psychiatrist, I will present your request, we will talk about it... and then we will laugh at you.

    We can kick people out.
    I have no problem kicking people out-- never have, never will.
    I have never heard tell about any nurse, tech, counselor, etc. ever being reprimanded for being firm and no-nonsense.
    We will kick you out, discuss your outrageous behavior... and then we will laugh at you.

    I do not think I could ever work in another field.
    While we are very polite and professional, we can (and are expected to) set limits and enforce those limits.
    There is no sugar-coating.
    If you are intrusive, loud, aggressive, insulting, snooping, trying to have sex , etc. etc.... we will kick you out.
    Oh, yeah... and laugh at you.

    And I still want to plant land mines all along the parameter of the nurse's station, because that's where the biggest offenders like to congregate.

    I'm sorry that you other folks can't do what we can, because once we remove the riff-raff, it is actually quite pleasant to be left with quiet and respectful visitors that actually lend something to the therapeutic side of things.
    I don't know how old you are, but you sound like an immature person.
    4thflrnrse likes this.
  6. Sep 20, '12 by
    "This behavior is allowed in the hospital setting" because we are NOT at McDonald's. Family members want to be near their loved one in a time of crisis... and the patient needs their family .
    As professionals, we understand .. and should embrace that relationship.

    However, the nurse-patient relationship also needs to be respected by the family. It's all in your communication with the family.
    Too many family members in the room, too many family "demands".. etc. needs to be addressed by the individual case.

    Simply stating.. " I need everyone to step out now".. or... "please direct your questions to the designated spokesperson" will resolve any nursing concern.
    We are NOT just taking care of the patient.. we also need to take care of their support group.
    Sehille4774 and Susie2310 like this.
  7. Sep 20, '12 by
    Quote from redhead_NURSE98!
    Yeah I wish I had a dime for every silly story about how "that nurse put this HUGE bruise on mah arm, it took a week to go away!" I just act unimpressed and say "Yep, it happens, doesn't mean the nurse did anything wrong" and keep going. It pains me when a layperson visitor wants to discuss all the ills that some horrible nurse committed upon THEM when THEY were hospitalized while their family member is lying in bed feeling horrible, dying, etc.
    I cannot imagine "acting unimpressed" when families approach you with "silly stories".
    Or being"pained" by a visitor.
    Review the new CMS guidelines for reimbursement.
  8. Sep 20, '12 by
    Isn't 24/7 visiting hours kinda considered the latest and greatest new trend: IE "Family Centered Care". I have no problems with this as long as the family member arent too disruptive and the pt can still get rest. Ive personally had family members that were critical that wanted us there 24/7.. Specifically my middle aged dad who had VRSA sepsis and osteomylitis, on heavy pain meds for 6 months in the hospital, did better waking up and seeing a familiar face..he often didnt know what was going on..and being an independent person all his life, he took comfort having the perception that someone else was there to watch out for him.

    Now more then one or 2 people after visiting hours is unnecessary.

    Gosh...I just think it helps to throw the families a bone sometimes. A little bit of kindness goes a long way..and if you rush them out of the room with every procedure..they end up feeling suspicious that something not right is going on...Have confidence that if you are providing quality care then it shouldnt matter who sees what you do...in fact you can explain what you doing and sometimes it lessens the fear for them..with the pt's permission of course.
    simonemesina likes this.
  9. Sep 20, '12 by
    Quote from turnforthenurseRN
    We have visiting hours pretty much all day. They are from 09-2100 but I have seen family members stroll on in right at 0600...an family members stay way later than 2100. We do not let children under 18 stay with a parent because that is a liability...sorry to them but it is.

    I personally hate having a bunch of family members in the room watching me like a hawk. It makes me uncomfortable.

    Maybe one day I will have the initiative of kicking family members out. I took care of a Hispanic patient (family oriented) and the room was PACKED...not to mention there were some very young children in there and I almost ran over one with my COW because 1. They were hiding behind the curtain and 2. I didn't even know small children were there because they weren't there an hour ago when I was in the same room. The family was also huddled around the patient so it made it difficult to do things...just very annoying imo.
    I personally hate having a bunch of family members in the room watching me like a hawk.

    This is not about you ...or how you feel about "a bunch of family members " making YOU feel uncomfortable! This is about patient care.. NOT YOU!
    Wet Noodle and Susie2310 like this.
  10. Sep 20, '12 by
    Typically my family members obey the visiting hours where I work. Sometimes the charge nurse will have the courtesy to allow one member to stay overnight depending on the patients condition, and if the family member is polite enough to ask, otherwise, we'll call security to have them escorted out if they cause a scene, or crowding out the room preventing us nurses from carrying out our duties.
    I for one..always push most of them out (ones not directly related to the patient) and usually allow the spouse/partner, brother, sister or an older child to stay when performing a treatment or providing care, it puts the patient at ease and it saves me from having them breathing down my back and it gives us some breathing room. As for overnights and visiting hours, the patient's well-being always comes into play, if the patient hyped up and overly anxious when alone and more calm and easier to take care of when a family member is present, we will allow a member to stay with them as it probably helps the patient heal better.
    Last edit by navyguyhm3 on Sep 20, '12 : Reason: adding text